The U.S. labor market is one of the most attractive in the world due to various factors, including high hourly wages and a generally high employment rate. It’s also home to the headquarters of many global corporations, such as Amazon, Apple, and Tesla.

However, despite the vast opportunities, breaking into the U.S. job market is not easy. Employers prioritize highly skilled professionals, and the U.S. government facilitates this by offering streamlined visa processes for qualified experts. In this article, we’ll explore how to find a job in the USA and what it takes to succeed.

Pros and Cons of Working in the U.S.

While the U.S. labor market is appealing, it is far from perfect. It offers diverse employment formats — traditional office work, hybrid and remote roles, freelance and contract positions. Still, these advantages come with trade-offs.

In-Demand Professions in the U.S. Labor Market

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, by the end of 2024, approximately 2.7 million new jobs were created across the country, with a significant share concentrated in technology, healthcare, and professional services. Major companies like Google continue to expand hiring, including for remote jobs in America, although competition remains intense, sometimes reaching hundreds of applicants per opening.

The healthcare system consistently faces staffing shortages, especially given the growing population that requires medical services. The sector is in ongoing need of qualified nurses, physicians, and administrative personnel.

Regional differences strongly influence employment trends. Silicon Valley (California) remains a hub for IT and startups, though the cost of living there is about 50% higher than the U.S. average. New York leads in finance and media, while Texas, particularly Austin and Houston, is increasingly attractive due to low taxes. Both Tesla and Oracle relocated their headquarters to Texas, resulting in an 8–12% increase in regional IT job openings.

Popular job positions in the U.S.:

• Software engineer (specializing in Python, Java, Go).
• Cybersecurity specialist.
• Data scientist.
• Cloud solutions architect (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
• IoT developer.
• Electrical engineer.
• Renewable energy engineer.
• Robotics engineer.
• Registered nurse (patient care, procedural administration, remote consultations).
• Specialist physicians (anesthesiology, surgery, internal medicine).
• Health informatics specialist.
• Genetic counselor.
• Financial analyst.
• Digital transformation specialist.
• Venture capital manager.
• Hospitality manager (hotels, resorts, restaurants).
• Event manager.
• Marketing analyst.
• E-commerce & marketplace specialist.
• University lecturer/instructor.
• Research scientist.
• Civil engineer.
• Construction project manager.

Popular job vacancies in the United States of America for foreigners:

• Retail sales associate.
• Office administrator.
• Restaurant staff.
• Equipment maintenance technician.
• Teaching assistant.
• Manufacturing worker.
• Logistics manager.
• Call center representative.

Highest-paid jobs USA include:

• Specialist physician.
• Software engineer at FAANG (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google).
• Investment banker.
• Corporate lawyer.
• Chief executive officer (CEO).

Work Visas in the United States

U.S. work visas are divided into non-immigrant (temporary stay) and immigrant visas. Non-immigrant visas function as temporary permits, while immigrant visas have no fixed duration and are intended for obtaining a green card.

Types of employment visa in the USA:

To obtain a work visa for the USA, a sponsoring employer is required. The employer must file the appropriate petition (I-129 for non-immigrant visas, I-140 for immigrant visas) with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Minimum document package required for all U.S. work visas

• Valid passport (with at least 6 months of validity beyond the date of entry)
• Completed DS-160 form (confirmation page with barcode)
• Photograph 5×5 cm (taken within the last 6 months)
• Receipt of payment for the consular fee ($160—$205)
• Petition I-129 or I-140 (for H-1B, O-1, L-1, EB-2/EB-3) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1 visa)

Additional documents by visa type:

• H-1B. Diploma, resume, job offer in the USA for foreigners, Labor Condition Application (LCA), employer’s letter
• O-1. Publications, awards, 6–10 recommendation letters from experts, contract with employer or agent
• TN. Employer letter, diploma, proof of experience
• J-1. Invitation from sponsor, Form DS-2019, proof of funding
• L-1. Employment records at foreign company, company organizational structure, description of U.S. role
• EB-2/EB-3. PERM certification, diploma, employment contract, proof of experience (recommendations, work record)

Most foreigners must obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). It is an American work permit that confirms the holder’s legal right to work regardless of employer.

EAD is required for:

• Legal employment. Employers must verify work authorization and cannot officially hire foreign nationals without it, except when automatic authorization is granted with certain work visas.
• Obtaining a social security number (SSN). EAD holders can apply for an SSN, which is essential for tax payments and opening bank accounts.
• Proof of status. EAD serves as evidence of legal presence in the U.S., important during immigration checks.

Automatic work authorization applies to:

• U.S. citizens.
• Permanent residents (Green Card holders).
• Holders of America work permit visas such as H-1B, L-1, O, P.
• Refugees and individuals with approved asylum status.

Additional types of work permits in the USA:

• Seasonal work visas (H-2A and H-2B). Work in the USA for foreigners is available through seasonal work visas H-2A (agricultural work) and H-2B (non-agricultural seasonal jobs), but only in industries experiencing a shortage of local labor. When filing a petition with the Department of Labor, the employer must prove that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the positions and must provide housing, transportation to the work site, partial meals, and pay the legally required prevailing wage. These visas can be extended for up to three years.
• Work through study (American F-1 visa). Students on an F-1 visa have limited but legal authorization to work. During their studies, they are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week on campus. After completing their first academic year, they become eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs, which allow them to work in a field related to their major. OPT permits up to 12 months of full-time employment, and graduates of STEM programs (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) can apply for a 24-month extension, for a total of 36 months of work authorization.

Job Search in the USA

Before getting a job in the U.S., one must first find a suitable employer. However, not all employers are willing to sponsor foreign workers for a visa. This is especially true for job openings at small companies — many of them do not even consider candidates without a valid work visa.

The primary tool for job searching among foreigners is online platforms. The most popular platform is LinkedIn, along with Facebook groups. Approximately 60% of job positions in the U.S. are filled through referrals made at professional conferences or online events.

As a last resort, one can contact recruitment agencies in the USA for foreigners. For IT specialists, recommended agencies include Robert Half and Teksystems. For job seekers without a college degree — Manpower.

Specialized job listings, such as those targeting Russian-speaking candidates, can often be found through local communities. Platforms like BAZAR.club offer job opportunities from Russian-speaking employers (nannies, drivers, construction workers).

General employment sites in the USA:

Salary Levels in the United States

Salaries in the U.S. vary based on profession, industry, experience, education, and geographic location. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of the end of 2024, the average salary in the U.S. is $66,622, while the median salary is approximately $60,000.

Average Americans salary by profession:

The federal minimum wage in America is set at $7.25/hour, but individual states have the authority to establish their own rates. Several states have set significantly higher minimum salary in America:

States with the highest average salaries:

States with the lowest average salaries:

Taxes in the United States

Taxes in the United States are collected at three levels: federal, state, and local. Federal taxes are uniform nationwide, but individual states can impose additional levies such as sales tax or property tax. For example, the California state income tax in America reaches 13.3%, in New York — 10.9%, and in New Jersey — 10.75%. However, there is no state income tax in Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Tennessee, or Wyoming. Still, the federal income tax applies in all cases.

The federal personal tax in the USA is based on personal earnings and it follows a progressive scale:

Thus, the federal income tax alone takes between 10% and 37% of earnings, depending on income. Additionally, 6.2% is withheld for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare. On average, American earnings of $75,000, total deductions may appear to be around 30%.
These numbers are high, but not entirely accurate due to the complexity of the U.S. tax system. Crucially, every taxpayer can reduce their taxable income using the standard deduction, which in 2025 is approximately $15,000 for single filers.

For instance, with an income of $75,000, the taxable portion becomes $75,000 — $15,000 = $60,000. The federal income tax rate in the USA is then calculated progressively: the first $11,925 is taxed at 10%, the next portion up to $48,475 at 12%, and only the amount above $48,475 is taxed at 22%. As a result, the effective tax rate — the actual percentage of total income paid in taxes — is about 10–11%, not 22%. After adding Social Security and Medicare, the total effective burden is around 18–20%, not 30%.

This is why many states attract migrants with zero state income tax in the United States — state-level taxes can account for a third of the total tax burden. In high-tax states like California (13.3%), they can reach up to half of all taxes paid.